Bipolar tissue morcellator

Abstract

An endoscopic morcellator device and method for use is provided. The morcellator device includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen extending therethrough, a handle coupled to the proximal end of the shaft, at least one active electrode disposed about a periphery of the distal end of the shaft, at least one return electrode disposed at the distal end of the shaft and electrically insulated from the at least one active electrode, and at least one fluid conduit extending along the shaft and having an outlet at the distal end of the shaft.

1. An endoscopic morcellator device comprising:
 a hollow elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen being sized and shaped for insertion of a tissue grasper therethrough, and having a substantially uniform inner diameter; 
 a handle coupled to the proximal end of the shaft; 
 at least one active electrode disposed about a periphery of the distal end of the shaft; 
 at least one return electrode disposed at the distal end of the shaft having a substantially annular overall configuration concentrically disposed about the shaft and having an outer surface, the return electrode being electrically insulated from the at least one active electrode; and 
 a plurality of recesses formed in the outer surface of the at least one return electrode and extending along a length of the at least one return electrode to a distal end thereof, the plurality of recesses forming fluid conduits distinct and separate from the lumen, 
 wherein the elongate shaft contains no moving parts, and wherein activation of said at least one active electrode in the presence of fluid introduced through said fluid conduits cuts and/or vaporizes tissue in proximity thereto. 
 
   
   
     2. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one return electrode is disposed about the periphery of the distal end of the shaft at a location proximal of the at least one active electrode. 
   
   
     3. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the periphery of the distal end of the shaft is substantially circular. 
   
   
     4. The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an RF energy source electrically coupled to the at least one active electrode. 
   
   
     5. The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the RF energy source provides sufficient energy to create vapor pockets on a surface of the at least one active electrode. 
   
   
     6. The device according to  claim 5 , further comprising a foot pedal for controlling energy delivered by the RF energy source. 
   
   
     7. The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid source in fluid communication with the fluid conduits for providing fluid thereto. 
   
   
     8. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one active electrode is disposed distal of the at least one return electrode. 
   
   
     9. The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of active electrodes substantially equally spaced apart about the periphery of the distal end of the shaft. 
   
   
     10. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one active electrode is electrically insulated from the at least one return electrode by an insulator disposed therebetween. 
   
   
     11. A morcellator comprising:
 a) a hollow elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen being sized and shaped for insertion of a tissue grasper therethough, and having a substantially uniform inner diameter; 
 b) at least one active electrode disposed about a periphery of the distal end the shaft; 
 c) at least one return electrode at the distal end of the shaft having a substantially annular overall configuration concentrically disposed about the shaft and having an outer surface, the return electrode being electrically insulated from the at least one active electrode; 
 d) a plurality of recesses formed in the outer surface of the at least one return electrode and extending along a length of the at least one return electrode to a distal end thereof located in proximity to the at least one active electrode, the plurality of recesses forming fluid delivery conduits distinct and separate from the lumen; 
 e) a handle fixedly coupled to the proximal end of the shaft; 
 f) a fluid delivery means in fluid communication with the fluid delivery conduits for delivering fluid therethrough; and 
 g) an RF energy source electrically coupled to the at least one active electrode; 
 wherein the elongate shaft contains no moving parts.